Since the inception of society rebellion has been a staple. These circles keep mankind learned and humble. Be it known, the seeds are sewn in the darkest of corners. In train yards, moldy basement and stale bar rooms. The recordings, texts and art works aren’t easily obtained or deciphered. Often it’s participants remain secretive, some by choice other by circumstance. Never the less the stack of amazing “underground” records on my turntables grows and grows with each passing tour. Here is a slew of reviews, do with them what you will.
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Pangea – Living Dummy Cassette/LP/ Digital – Burger Records
Pangea is a great Long Beach, CA riot rock band. A well balanced mix of songwriting and dancing stomp type garage rock. I listened to this tape on repeat for a week straight in Venice and it never got old. The cassette is sold out, but it since has been reissued on vinyl, and you can also stream/buy this excellent album on bandcamp. They just released a new ep, Killer Dreams, out now on Lauren Records/Ghostbot Records.
Pangea – Summertime (from Living Dummy) (Right click/Save as)
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Pangea – I don’t wanna know you (again. ALL Living Dummy tracks are interstellar summer meta hits)
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Pangea – Plasma out of your mind (from their brand new Killer Dreams EP)
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Vacation “The Do Shit Tape” on Bike Haus Recordings (no website) “Dream Dad” 7″ and s/t LP on Let’s Pretend Records and Mandible Records.
Vacation‘s signature style of spastic midwestern punk echos in my ears at the mere mention of the Cincinnati trio. They crafted great original pop punk songs, lead by a singing drummer, driving bass and loose guitar.
Vacation – Big Scary Dudes (from The Do Shit Tape) (Right click/Save as)
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Bitches - Winner 7″ – (self released)
Bitches make couple duos seem possible. Their heavy bass driven music is complimented by light creative drumming that seems comical. Like every great comic duo, Bitches have a straight man and a reckless one. You can hear more of this London duo on a split LP with Yuppies on Palmist Records and on a new ep on Gravy Records.
Bitches – Can not love (from their self released single) (Right click/Save as)
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Bitches – Sleep Walk (from their self released single)
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Bitches – Wallet (from their split LP with Yuppies)
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Rise Up Howling Werewolf – The Indian Curse Will Bring You Back To Me – Arkam Records
Call Rise Up Howling Werewolf what you will: gospel, soul, skate rock. All would find a legitimate home in describing this group of malcontempts. These northern Alabama MISFITS have a LP out on Arkam Records.
Rise Up Howlin Werewolf – You Can See The Hearse Outside (Right click/Save as)
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RVIVR – Dirty Water – EP – Berlin label Yo Yo Records
This Olympia,WA group make the kind of punky pop that give hope the world over. Passionate Male/Female vocals and inspired riffs backed by solid drumming. This is one of those EPs you wish would last forever. The Shellshag cover is a confirmed highlight. This EP is released under a creative commons licence. You can buy the vinyl version here and stream/buy the digital version here. You can also download all Rvivr records and send them free donations via their own label, Rumbletowne Records.
Rvivr – Resilient Bastard (Shellshag cover) (Right Click/Save As)
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Rvivr- Tiny Murders (Right click/Save as)
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Defiance, Ohio – Midwest Minutes – No Idea Records
D. Ohio is a shining example of a band that only gets better with age. Drawing cuts from several writers, maneuvering gracefully between heartland, power pop and anarchist folk punk. As lyricists these Indiana men and women stand alone.
Defiance, Ohio – Hairpool (Right click/Save as)
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